Director of Development and Community Engagement

Position Summary

The Director of Development is responsible for leading all fundraising, donor engagement, foundation management, community relations, and development activities for two affiliated charitable foundations that support a Southern California respite care organization serving approximately 5,700 clients. This role develops and executes comprehensive fundraising strategies that advance the mission, strengthen community partnerships, maximize philanthropic revenue, and expand the organization's impact throughout the region.

The Director of Development serves as the primary leader for major gifts, annual giving, grants, corporate sponsorships, special events, planned giving initiatives, donor stewardship, and foundation operations. The position works closely with executive leadership, foundation boards, community stakeholders, and key donors to secure financial support and enhance organizational visibility.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement multi-year fundraising and development strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Establish annual fundraising objectives, revenue targets, and key performance indicators.
• Provide leadership and support to both foundation boards and related committees.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership regarding philanthropic opportunities and trends.
• Create and monitor annual development budgets, forecasts, and fundraising plans.

Fundraising and Revenue Development

• Lead all fundraising activities including major gifts, annual campaigns, capital campaigns, grants, planned giving, and corporate partnerships.
• Build and manage a portfolio of major donors and prospective supporters.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors capable of significant philanthropic contributions.
• Develop sponsorship opportunities for corporate and community partners.
• Oversee donor appeals, fundraising campaigns, giving societies, and stewardship initiatives.
• Establish donor retention and growth strategies that increase philanthropic revenue year over year.

Foundation Management

• Manage the operational activities of two affiliated foundations.
• Support board recruitment, engagement, governance, and committee effectiveness.
• Prepare board reports, fundraising updates, strategic plans, and development metrics.
• Ensure compliance with foundation bylaws, donor restrictions, and applicable nonprofit regulations.
• Coordinate board meetings, fundraising events, and foundation initiatives.

Grant Development

• Research and identify grant opportunities from public, private, and corporate funding sources.
• Oversee grant writing, submission, reporting, and compliance activities.
• Develop compelling proposals that communicate organizational impact and outcomes.
• Maintain relationships with grant funders and foundation representatives.

Community and Public Relations

• Serve as a key ambassador for the organization and affiliated foundations.
• Build relationships with civic leaders, businesses, healthcare partners, elected officials, and community organizations.
• Increase awareness of respite care services and foundation impact throughout Southern California.
• Represent the organization at networking events, conferences, fundraisers, and community functions.
• Develop strategic partnerships that support fundraising and community engagement objectives.

Donor Stewardship and Engagement

• Design and implement comprehensive donor recognition programs.
• Ensure timely acknowledgment, reporting, and stewardship of donor contributions.
• Create meaningful opportunities for donor engagement and volunteer participation.
• Develop communications that demonstrate organizational outcomes and community impact.
• Utilize donor data and analytics to improve fundraising effectiveness.

Event Management

• Lead planning and execution of signature fundraising events, galas, golf tournaments, donor receptions, and community awareness campaigns.
• Oversee event budgets, sponsorship development, volunteer coordination, and post-event evaluations.
• Maximize event revenue while enhancing donor relationships and community engagement.

Team Leadership

• Recruit, develop, and manage fundraising and foundation staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and donor-centric service.
• Establish clear performance expectations and professional development plans.
• Ensure effective use of fundraising technology and donor management systems.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Communications, Marketing, Public Administration, Healthcare Administration, or related field required.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 7-10 years of progressive fundraising and development leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success securing major gifts, grants, sponsorships, and philanthropic partnerships.
• Experience supporting foundation or nonprofit governing boards.
• Proven track record managing fundraising campaigns with annual goals exceeding $1 million.
• Experience within healthcare, human services, disability services, nonprofit, or community-based organizations preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of fundraising principles, donor cultivation, and stewardship practices.
• Strong grant writing and proposal development experience.
• Exceptional relationship-building and networking skills.
• Ability to engage high-net-worth individuals, corporate leaders, and community stakeholders.
• Strong public speaking and presentation abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience utilizing CRM and donor management systems.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to analyze fundraising performance metrics and drive results.
• Knowledge of nonprofit governance and charitable foundation operations.

Key Performance Indicators

The Director of Development will be evaluated on:

• Annual fundraising revenue achievement.
• Growth in major donor contributions.
• Foundation asset and endowment growth.
• Grant funding secured.
• Corporate sponsorship revenue.
• Donor retention and engagement rates.
• Board engagement and effectiveness.
• Community partnership development.
• Event fundraising performance.
• Development budget management.